Lot #855: USA First Day Cover April 9, 1954 - USA 8¢ Liberty (Scott #1039) stamp - Statue of Liberty - Don Willever (Cachet Craft) - Postmarked Washington, D.C.

1954 USA Commemorative Cacheted First Day Cover - Engraved picture of the Statue of Liberty, with caption "In God We Trust". Cachet by "Cachet Craft - Don Willever". Stamped with 1954 USA Eight Cent "Liberty" Stamp (Scott #1039). Postmarked April 9, 1954 at Washington, D.C. This 1954 First Day Cover (FDC) marks the high-profile introduction of the Liberty Series' most iconic denomination. Produced in the nation's capital, this cover highlights the first time the motto "In God We Trust" appeared on a U.S. postage stamp. The USA 8 Liberty stamp (Scott #1039) was issued on April 9, 1954, and designed specifically for the international airmail rate. It features the Statue of Liberty in a two-color format (red and blue). This was a significant departure from the previous single-color definitive stamps.This issue is historically notable for being the first U.S. stamp to include the phrase "In God We Trust," which is prominently displayed in an arch over the torch. The production of this stamp is a landmark in printing history. To achieve the two-color effect in a single pass, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing utilized the Giori Press. This press employed specialized inking cylinders with rubber "pads" cut to the specific shapes of the red and blue areas. These cylinders transferred the different colored inks onto a single master engraved plate before it made contact with the paper. This "Cylinder-to-Plate" synchronization was the pinnacle of 1954 engineering. If you observe the stamp closely, you can see how the red of the "Statue" and the blue of the "Frame" meet with very little overlap—a testament to the calibration of the rotary cylinders. Don Willever, under the Cachet Craft brand, was known for high-quality, thematic artwork that complemented the stamp's subject. The cachet features a sharp, engraved depiction of the Statue of Liberty, reinforcing the "In God We Trust" theme. Willever’s designs often used clean lines and balanced compositions, which paired well with the bold colors of the 8-cent issue. Dimensions: 10 mm x 17 mm Pickup category timeslot {A}